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Cricketers flourish at Sophia Gardens in exciting partnership with Glamorgan

May 11th, 2018

Monmouth School for Boys’ Under-15s at Sophia Gardens.

Children from Monmouth School for Boys enjoyed an unforgettable day at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff as part of an exciting new cricket partnership with Glamorgan.

Glamorgan County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Hugh Morris, described Monmouth as the ‘premier cricket school in Wales’.

As part of the school’s new link with Glamorgan, Monmouth’s cricketers will have the chance to play matches at the venue which has hosted Ashes Tests and international matches.

The boys might even follow in the footsteps of former Monmouth pupil, Jeremy Lawlor, who is a professionally contracted player with Glamorgan.

Monmouth School for Boys’ Under-15s met Wales Under-14s at the outstanding ground on Tuesday 8th May and put in a fine display before losing by five wickets in the final over.

“We are very keen to work a lot closer with a lot of our educational institutions in Wales,” explained Mr Hugh Morris.

“Monmouth is one of the top independent schools in Wales and the premier cricket school in Wales and it makes a lot of sense that we work more collaboratively.”

The new arrangement stemmed from a meeting between Mr Morris; Headteacher Dr Andrew Daniel; Master in Charge of Cricket, Mr Andrew Jones; Old Monmothian Mr Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England batsman; and Mr Jeff Bird.

Mr Morris added: “We felt it would be nice to work closer together and one of the ideas we had was for Monmouth School for Boys to play a game at Sophia Gardens.

“We are not envisaging this to be a one-off. It was a great experience for schoolboys to play at a Test match ground and on a pitch which the day before was used for a first-class game.

“We’re a professional cricket organisation and we want the best squad we possibly can. We are always on the look-out to identify, nurture and develop talent.”

In the match itself, captain Joe top-scored with 51 and put on an 81-run opening partnership with Michael (45) as Monmouth posted a competitive 213-6 from 40 overs.

The hard-hitting Josh (39), Harry F (36) and Charlie (12 not out) also made excellent contributions with the bat.

In reply, Ben (80) and Monmouth School for Boys’ pupils Hugo (41) and Harry H (24) batted very well for Wales.

Despite good bowling from Middlecote (2-23 from eight overs), Sam (1-54) and Charlie (1-18), Will Heath (29 not out) steered Wales to the target with just three balls remaining.

Captain and wicketkeeper, Joe, said: “It was amazing to play at Glamorgan and a great opportunity.

Old Monmothians Roger Clitheroe, Mike Kear and Steve James.

“It was a shame that we couldn’t quite pull off the win. We loved the day and will remember the occasion for a very long time.”

Mr Steve James said: “Joe, Michael and Harry F batted very well for Monmouth and Hugo batted very well for Wales.

“It was a massive day for the boys to play at a Test match ground.

“I remember when I was at school and we played a match at the County Ground in Taunton against Millfield School. It was a big day in my cricketing past.”

He added: “Glamorgan and Monmouth School for Boys are two places very close to my heart so I was very keen to help out.

“Hopefully, playing at Glamorgan will become an annual event for the school and many other things will also come out of this new partnership.”

Pupils came to cheer on the Monmouth players.Former Monmouth School for Boys’ pupil, Jeremy Lawlor,